<b>And the Lord said unto Moses: “See, I have set thee in God’s stead to Pharaoh” (Exod. 7:1).</b> Scripture states elsewhere in allusion to this verse: <i>Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors</i> (Ps. 24:7). Solomon spoke this verse when he brought the Ark into the Holy of Holies. He had constructed an Ark ten cubits wide which he desired to bring into the Temple. He carried it there, but when he reached the entrance of the Temple, the entrance was only ten cubits wide. It is, of course, impossible to carry an object of ten cubits through an opening of ten cubits. Moreover, those who were carrying it were unable to enter with it. Solomon arose in dismay, not knowing what to do. He began to plead with the Holy One, blessed be He: <i>O Lord God, turn not away the face of Thine anointed</i> (II Chron. 6:42).

What did Solomon do? Our sages of blessed memory said: He raised the coffin of his father, David, and prostrated himself before it, praying: <i>O Lord God, turn not away the face of Thine anointed</i>. R. Berechiah declared in the name of R. Helbo: At that time David came to life, as you may understand for yourself from David’s own words: <i>O Lord, Thou broughtest up my soul from the netherworld; Thou didst keep me alive, that I should not go down to the pit</i> (Ps. 30:4). Solomon said: Master of the Universe, make it go in for his sake: <i>Remember the good deeds of David Thy servant</i> (II Chron. 6:42). And his prayers were answered immediately, as it is said: <i>O Lord God, turn not away the face of Thine anointed</i>. What is written after that? <i>Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven</i>, etc. (ibid. 7:1). The Holy Spirit then cried out, saying: <i>Wherefore I praise the dead that are already dead</i> (Eccles. 4:2). Thereupon Solomon began to pray: <i>Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; that the King of glory may come in</i> (Ps. 24:7). The gates wanted to crush his head, for they thought that he had called himself <i>the King of glory</i>. They said to him: <i>Who is this King of glory?</i> (ibid., v. 10), and he replied: The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. When he responded in this way, they were appeased. If they had not been, they would have fallen on his head and crushed him.